Chapter 19: Unfortunate Luck

The atmosphere in the square grew heavy upon hearing Qin Liang’s words.

Neither the Wang nor the Feng families had expected that a little-known junior member of the Jiang family would be so formidable, immediately overpowering their two second young masters.

Among them, including Jiang Yutong, everyone looked at Qin Liang with complicated expressions.

By now, it was clear to all that Qin Liang had indeed refined his spirit multiple times. Yet, throughout history, no one had ever managed to refine their spirit so many times in such a short span, exceeding everyone’s understanding.

“Is he really a First Rank Dao Root?” Jiang Yutong whispered softly.

Earlier, she had believed that rejecting the marriage was the right choice. Now, she wavered.

She glanced at Jiang Xuehan with a complicated look; it seemed her sister had truly found a rare treasure.

Li Qiumei frowned, reluctant to accept this outcome.

An incense stick had burned down, and Li Hongcai was probably rushing over, but clearly, it was no longer necessary. The momentum here had completely shifted to Qin Liang.

She had intended to have her nephew make a move to establish authority, but Qin Liang had disrupted her plans.

Her cheeks flushed slightly, but no one paid attention to her expression; all eyes were fixed on the young man in the square.

The elders of the clans glowed with pride, for their junior had won, and the opponents were utterly defeated—their meridians destroyed. Given the foundation of the two families, it was impossible to restore these three to the martial path.

“Arrogant youngster, your methods are so ruthless,”

Feng Kangnian’s aura surged wildly, his long hair whipping about as he coldly declared, “You owe me an explanation today.”

“Explanation?”

Qin Liang narrowed his eyes without yielding. “An explanation means juniors sparring. If you don’t want to save face, you can attack me directly. Let’s see what disgrace the Feng family will suffer.”

At these words, the Jiang family members felt greatly vindicated.

Feng Kangnian indeed hesitated, refraining from striking, but his gaze was fixed tightly on Qin Liang.

“Since it’s sparring, we should stop at a point. Why strike so harshly?”

Unwilling to concede, Feng Kangnian insisted on a proper reckoning today.

“Heh!”

Qin Liang laughed scornfully and shouted, “So many of my Jiang family’s bones broken and tendons torn—did they ever stop halfway? When that useless Feng Yuan ambushed my fiancée, did he stop halfway?”

“You want me to hold back? Sorry, I haven’t even started yet!” Qin Liang shot back defiantly.

“Pfft!”

In a daze, the badly injured Feng Yuan spat blood upon hearing “useless,” worsening his wounds.

“Sharp-tongued brat, you’re courting death!”

A Wang family elder, unable to bear it any longer, radiated intense spiritual energy and reached out to grab Qin Liang.

No one among the juniors could withstand the palm of someone who had refined spirit nine times.

“What are you trying to do, old man Wang Xin?”

Jiang Hai appeared before Qin Liang, his sleeve swirling with terrifying force, clashing palm to palm with the elder.

A fierce wind howled through the square, the sudden turn of events catching everyone off guard.

Boom!

A loud crash echoed as Elder Wang Xin was blasted back by overwhelming power, stopping only at the edge of the square, his face growing even more serious.

In contrast, Jiang Hai remained calm, showing no sign of exertion.

The brief clash made the outcome clear—no wonder he was the Jiang family’s patriarch; his strength was indeed formidable.

“Jiang Hai, so you’ve already begun consolidating your essence.”

Wang Xin smiled faintly, having successfully gauged Jiang Hai’s cultivation. The trip was worthwhile.

Jiang Hai narrowed his eyes but showed no regret for intervening. He said gravely, “Even if your two families unite, the Jiang family fears nothing. Go back and tell Wang Sheng and Feng Qingyu to prepare to meet their end.”

“Escort them out!”

Li Qiumei coldly ordered the guests to leave.

“You’re Qin Liang, right? Good, I’ve remembered your name.”

Before leaving, Wang Xin and Feng Kangnian cast a hateful glance at the young man behind Jiang Hai, as if wishing to tear him limb from limb.

The forces of the two families had come in high spirits, hoping to see the Jiang family utterly defeated. Instead, they had to retreat, thwarted by Qin Liang’s presence. Clearly, this was a young man worthy of attention.

“Let’s go!”

A large group departed the Jiang family square, their retreating figures like lost dogs.

“Get lost, you bunch of trash! You only dare to shout when united—what shamelessness!”

The Jiang family youths, full of youthful vigor, hurled curses at their departing foes.

The two families’ members darkened at the insult and quickened their pace to vanish from sight.

“Thank you, Uncle Jiang.”

Qin Liang cupped his hands and bowed to Jiang Hai, having addressed him thus for years.

Jiang Hai patted his shoulder, nodding with satisfaction. “I see your father’s shadow in you. Very good. Consider this spiritual herb a reward for your defense.”

He then produced a First Rank spiritual herb and pressed it into Qin Liang’s hands.

“Don’t worry, Xuehan has one too,” Jiang Hai added, sensing Qin Liang’s thoughts.

With such generosity offered, Qin Liang accepted shyly. “Thank you, Uncle Jiang.”

Since it was a spiritual herb, other disciples envied but dared not object. Qin Liang’s strength was evident, and this was a reward from the patriarch himself—no one could oppose that.

Qin Liang bid Jiang Hai farewell and escorted Jiang Xuehan back to her courtyard, drawing the envy of onlookers.

As they departed, an untimely voice rang out abruptly: “Where are the geniuses of the Wang and Feng families? Dare to bully my clan’s juniors? Let me see how strong you really are.”

The people in the square turned toward the voice to find Li Hongcai rushing out.

Several elders rubbed their foreheads, knowing Li Hongcai was Li Qiumei’s nephew and cautious about commenting, then followed Jiang Hai away.

“Everyone, disperse! Disperse now.”

Jiang Chang shouted, and the Jiang family disciples quickly scattered in waves.

At the center of the square, Li Hongcai stood dumbfounded and embarrassed, unsure of what had transpired and why the crowd was dispersing so suddenly.

“Aunt, what exactly happened?” he asked Li Qiumei in confusion.

Li Qiumei looked at her nephew, unsure how to respond. She patted his shoulder and spoke earnestly, “Next time, you can emerge from seclusion earlier, or not be so strict about it.”

She sighed helplessly; perhaps her nephew’s luck was simply poor.

Last time he secluded himself, he missed the clan meeting about the marriage; this time, he missed his moment in the spotlight.

Li Hongcai had secluded himself frequently, each time only for two or three days, with little growth in cultivation, leaving his aunt perplexed—unsure whether to blame or console him.

“Brother Qin was really fierce just now, finishing it in no time…”

Someone passed by Li Hongcai, whispering, and he caught their words, gaining some understanding.

“Qin Liang…”

Li Hongcai spat out the name through clenched teeth, a murderous gleam flashing in his eyes.

…

In Jiang Xuehan’s courtyard, flowers and plants bloomed brilliantly, the air fresh and pure.

A pair of lovers leaned against the corridor, their eyes full of tender affection, as if wanting to freeze time in this moment.

“What do you plan to do next?” Jiang Xuehan asked softly.

Qin Liang smiled. “I’m going to the forging workshop to find a suitable weapon, continue searching for spiritual materials, and improve my strength as soon as possible. No matter what, I’ll marry you first.”

To marry Jiang Xuehan, he still had to get past Li Hongcai—no small challenge.

Jiang Xuehan’s cheeks flushed warmly. Qin Liang’s extraordinary talent and his willingness to strive so hard for her stirred her own resolve.

She said, “My sword broke too. Why not come with me to the forging workshop?”

…